BJP, Cong await high commands' final words
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 15 2019:
BJP leaders and Congress leaders of the State are currently stationed at Delhi and they have been studying the merits as well as drawbacks of all intending candidates with their respective high commands.
It is highly probable that both BJP and Congress would announce their respective candidates for Outer Manipur PC and Inner Manipur within the next couple of days.
Chief Minister N Biren, BJP Manipur Pradesh president K Bhabananda and Works Minister Th Biswajit reached Delhi today with a list of intending candidates for both the Parliamentary seats.
According to a well placed source, 10 individuals have been seeking BJP ticket in Outer Manipur PC and the corresponding figure for Inner Manipur PC has reached 16 .
Those fighting for BJP ticket in Outer Manipur PC include BJP Manipur Pradesh vice-president Benjamin Mate, Adim Pamei, former MLA Dr Khasim Ruivah, former MP Kim Gangte, Senapati ADC Member PA Theko, Dr Thangtawn and John Pulamte.
Contenders for BJP ticket in Inner Manipur PC are former AMUCO president Jagat Thoudam, Th Basanta, Dr RK Ranjan, Chongtham Bijoy, Dr Nimaichand Luwang, Salam Joy, Radhabinod Koijam, Dr Haobam Borbabu, BJP Mahila Morcha vice-president A Sarda, popular singer Shamurailatpam Nabachandra (Naba Volcano) and Col (Retd) Lokendro.
Whether the party's high command would select two candidates from the list of intending candidates taken to Delhi by the Chief Minister and the BJP Manipur Pradesh president or two other individuals not included in the list cannot be said for sure as of now, said the source.
Even though no formal applications were submitted for BJP tickets, seven individuals formally applied for Congress ticket in Outer Manipur PC and nine in Inner Manipur PC.
Those vying for Congress ticket in Outer Manipur PC are Tongmang Haokip, W Lalkholam Hangshing, KS Ngaite, T Zangkhomang Haokip, Sword Vashum, John Manglianthang Zou and K James.
O Joy, Dr Ng Bijoy, RK Anand, O Nabakishore, Dr T Meinya, Sarangthem Manaobi (Khoiranthaba), M Bishwarjit, Ningombam Bhupenda and I Hemochandra have submitted applications seeking Congress ticket in Inner Manipur PC.
The Congress party's high command many announce two individuals from amongst the ticket applicants or they may choose two others who are not in the list of ticket applicants.
Whatever may the case, there is a convention within Congress party of respecting the decision taken by the high command regarding allotment of party tickets.
CLP leader Okram Ibobi, CWC Member Gaikhangam and some other Congress leaders are currently in Delhi and they have been working together with the party's high command to finalise the party's two candidates who would contest the 17th Lok Sabha election in Manipur.
It has been already reported that AICC president would visit the State on March 20 and he would formally launch the party's election campaign in the State.
It is most likely that Congress party would announce their candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats of Manipur before Rahul Gandhi's visit to the State.
Although Congress party is no longer in power in the State, the party is quite upbeat about the Lok Sabha election considering the fact that they captured 28 seats in the last State Assembly election.
Even though eight MLAs elected on Congress tickets later defected to BJP, many BJP leaders and office bearers have joined the ranks of Congress thereby striking some sort of balance.
Apart from BJP and Congress, CPI's Dr Nara and popular film actor RK Somorendro (Kaiku) have announced that they would contest the election in Inner Manipur PC.
The two have already launched their poll campaigns.
In Outer Manipur PC, JD-U's T Hangkhanpao and NPP State president Thangminlen Kipgen have announced their candidatures.
As NPP is a partner of BJP under NEDA, the party may not field its candidate in Inner Manipur PC, added the source.
Notably, election notifications for Outer Manipur PC and Inner Manipur PC would be issued on March 18 and 19 which would go to polls on April 11 and 18 respectively.
Votes would be counted on May 23 and May 27 has been fixed for completion of the entire election process.